Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-09-30

Some days after this scene Raymond went
to the White House He would not have
gone had it not been for the horrible fear
which possessed him. He wanted to know
tho truth. Laroque had been for some weeks
IN Paris, on what errand we shall soon know.
Suzanne was alone except for her domestics,
and sho soon remarked his palior and drawn
features
"What has happenedi Have you any
toublel" asked she, when the first greetings
wero over.
mo, l am perplexed, and need an indication
which hoped you might DO able to furnish
me.n
"What is itFp
"Have you, for instance, an old photograph
of your father, taken before this trial. or
course, scarcely expect that can succeed,
but IL / could, IL would assist me very much
In my search"
81 have one. My uncle chose from our
album, when my father took me away to
America, a picture of both my father and
mother, and had locket in which hid my
fathers picture behind that Of my mother
II you will wait moment will bring it"
One look only did Raymond give it, and
he knew that the photograph which his mother
had burned was that of Roger Laroque. And
why had she written those three dates that
were so fatal to Rogerf 1t was mystery he
shrank from penetrating.
Suzanne could use all her pretty girlish
arts, but Raymond could only respond by a
forced smile now 1t was as If he was In tor
ment and much as he loved her, he only
wanted to fly, to hide in some inlly pit, so
foul md awful that nothing could ever come
there 10 unearth his shame, and he tried with
white lips that could hardly frame words to
excuse himself that be might be alone.
After the silent, uncomfortable dinner,
where each one Of tho three was absorbed in
dismal reflections, Raymond followed his
mother to her room while Pierre went out,
and when there he said:
II don't know why, but the sad story OF
that poor young man OF the photograph
haupts me. To almost realize his hopes and
then see them snatched away, think he did
well to die"
why do you soy this in such tone, Ray
mondln
"What did you say his name wasi" said
Raymond, without answering his mothers
question.
"Ah-Jeanl Jean De Noirville. He was q
distant relation Of your fathers, and he mar
ried q young girl named Claire Verbun, but
they arc both deadn
Raymond remained silent, mentally COM
pairing this story with the one told him weeks
ago. He almost laughed at the absurdity Of
1t, and she thought be believed it
sin putting my fathers papers In order
found his last speech, md in several places
found the name of Roger Laroque 1t seems
that l can remember dimly of seeing such a
man, or of hearing you mention him. Did
you ever know him!n
Eyes, said she, family. "He-be was a
great friend of your fathers and saved his
life IN the war, but l think you never saw
him, as you were away at school during the
time when be visited our house,
"And l fancied that photograph TO be his,
on account of those three dates
which were so fatal to him."
at was simple coincidence"
"Are you sure, mother, that thai Is not q
portrait Of LaroqueP
"Do you suppose would Lief Why should
II For what reasoni wrote those dates.
Suppose they were the three fatal epochs in
Rogers life, for what reason would have
placed them therel Answer me that"
what have said has not common sense, /
admit, said he. "Don't notice them US other
than prescriptions of mind disturbed and
v It'll presentiments Of coming evil"
Raymond, you should not give way to
those fears. You infict great pain upon me |
and am not very we'll You ought to spare
me all strong emotions, my son. See what a
state / am in"